Comment on "THE REJECTED"

Toward an Enlightened Society

LEE VINCENT, Ph.D.

The "problem" of homosexuality-and the very topic itself-is a very controversial one. In an era of "miracle cures," innoculations have been developed for everything from polio to the Bubonic Plague. But, our medical scientists and technologists, if they are honest, will admit that they have fallen short of their goal. There is no prevention, or cure for the common cold!

So it is with homosexuality. While, in the case of the virus causing the common cold, present day knowledge and scientific instruments do not permit us to effect a cure; this might be closely compared or analogized— with the sociologists' attempt to cure homosexuality.

Many wild, wide, and varied guesses have been made as to the origin of homosexuality, In other words: what makes a person become homosexual? The homosexual has been with us now for not one century but for countless centuries. It stands to reason that, with the completely divergent viewpoints maintained by those who set themselves up as authorities on this subject, that there would be an equal-or greater-number of probable solutions, or cures. But, which, if any, is the right one?

A noted San Francisco psychiatrist, Dr. Karl Bowman, established himself as an authority when, in a recent telecast, he stated: "It is extremely difficult to treat most homosexuals." That could literally be construed to mean that either (a) the homosexual was satisfied with his present condimattachine REVIEW

12

tion, or (b) the "cures" employed on an experimental basis, were proven to be wholly ineffective. This same psychiatrist, later in the program, also stated that change can only occur if the individual homosexual wishes it. One would like to believe this; to share this viewpoint-but the fact remains that, today, there is no "cure" for homosexuality. Homosexuality can be suppressed and the individual can be persuaded-or forced-to conform to society's standards, but he can never be changed.

Today, the homosexual is unable to seek competent medical aid, or to help himself. The most that can be done for a homosexual, is to help him accept himself. He is often held up to ridicule; persecuted by law enforce ment agencies, and his fellow beings, if he acts naturally. So, to avoid unpleasantness and derision, he takes on a separate identity, or leads a "double life." He seeks the most natural thing in the world: love and/or affection-and the respect which he deserves.

About a month ago, I received a guest from out of town. This particular individual was heterosexual and though we were excellent friends, he was not aware that I was homosexual. Homosexuality was something he had heard of-rather than observed, and at this time, he shared the lay-public's intolerance of this sociological problem. Shortly after his arrival, two guests arrived for dinner. Both were male homosexuals. After my guests had departed, I asked my out of town guest, what he thought of these two individuals. He said that he enjoyed their company and that I was very fortunate to be surrounded by friends of their calibre. When I made it known to him that these same two individuals were homosexuals, his opinions remained unchanged....except for the expression of sympathy. Toward the end of his stay, my guest remarked that, had he been informed that the two guests were homosexuals, before getting to know them, he would have taken an instant dislike to them. "Now," he said, "I can only feel the urge to educate others who were as blind to the needs and nature of these people, as I was."

Prior to his departure, I took my guest to a homosexual bar. As he gazed around the room, he commented that it was not at all the kind of thing he had expected. There were few, if any, "nellie queens." There were few, if any, outward signs to indicate a stray from the "norm." The majority of customers merely sat at the counter, enjoying conversation with each otherand their beer. My guest was not hindered or approached by others, except those who knew me personally. The conversation in no way touched on matters of sexual nature and the "lewd and lacivious conduct" lable placed on these people just ceased to exist. In fact, as my guest observed, these individuals sought nothing more than companionship.

Since society has chosen to bury its head in the sands of obsolete laws; intolerance and bigotry, the only place where a homosexual can feel at ease

13